How to Apply

Overview

The Media Fund application for Production and Completion funding is now closed. Please check back for the next submission deadline

Please note that PIC is now accepting applications for R&D funding on a rolling basis. If you intend to apply for R&D funding, please contact Cheryl Hirasa (chirasa@piccom.org) for more information.

Application

The Media Fund application period is now closed.

In order to submit your application, youʻll need to create a login account, which will enable you to access the application form, upload required materials, save drafts, and return to submit when you're ready. The link to the application portal will be placed here when the next submission period opens.

Application Materials

The following is a list of materials youʻll need to upload. We suggest reviewing the application form and preparing materials well in advance of the deadline.

1. Project Description (up to six pages in length): upload one document containing the following as a .doc, .docx or .pdf file.

Treatment (4-pages max.): What is your story and story structure? Clearly describe your story, narrative structure, plot points and main characters. Also, describe the format and point of view through which the story will be told.

Artistic Approach (1-page max.): How are you going to tell this story? Describe your creative vision for the finished project-its visual look and feel. Explain your intended use of cinematic language or any particular artistic approach that informs the storytelling. If applicable, mention any creative elements, new technologies or non-traditional mediums that you intend to utilize.

Topic Summary (1-page max.): detail the topics, issues, themes, challenges, stakes, or questions that your project will cover. Explain why this story is important, timely or relevant to Pacific Islanders. Also explain the overall social relevance of the story.

How well the treatment is written and whether the storyline is clearly delineated. Does the applicant demonstrate exceptional storytelling with a clear narrative structure? Are the characters well developed?

How clearly the visual and stylistic approach was explained. Does it fit the treatment? Was it possible to clearly visualize the finished film based on the applicant's explanation? Is the project innovative and/or take creative risks?

Whether the story is compelling. Is the subject matter original? Is the theme well-articulated? Is the story timely and relevant to Pacific Islander communities as well as other communities?

How well the applicant demonstrated sensitivity and understanding toward Pacific Islander culture and people. Is the story an accurate and authentic representation of the Pacific Islander experience?

2. Work-In-Progress (WIP): upload as an .mp4 or .mov file

Upload your WIP, which can be a trailer, scene selects or rough cut as an .mp4 or .mov file no more than 1GB into the corresponding field.

Provide a short description of what your WIP represents and any details that panelists should consider when viewing in the corresponding field.

The Independent Review Panel will evaluate your WIP based on:

The production value, character presentation and visual style.

The storytelling ability of key creative personnel.

How well the WIP represents the idea and concept of the proposed project.

3. Sample Work: upload as an .mp4 or .mov file.

A Sample Work is required for all applications and you must do the following:

Upload your Sample Work, which should be the same genre as your proposed project and can be a previously completed work of yours or your director, producer, cinematographer or editor. The file must be an .mp4 or .mov file no more than 1GB using the corresponding field.

Provide a short description of what your Sample Work represents, who were the key creatives and any details that panelists should consider when viewing the corresponding field.

The Independent Review Panel will evaluate your Sample Work based on:

The production value, character presentation and visual style

The storytelling ability of key creative personnel

How well the story progressed (narrative arc)

How well the Sample Work indicates success for the proposed project

4. Key Creative Personnel: upload one document containing the following as a .doc, .docx or .pdf file:

Provide a list of your Key Creative Personnel (executive producer, director, producer, writer, cinematographer or editor) including names, roles on the proposed project and brief bios. You can also include advisors, cultural or otherwise.

Letters of commitment for personnel you have secured. If you don't have letters of commitment for some of your Key Creative Personnel, please make note of that and explain where in the process you are in securing them.

The amount of Pacific Islander representation in key personnel positions.

For non-fiction projects, the access and rapport with the subject(s) and story.

5. Detailed Budget: upload as an .xls, .xlsx or .pdf file.

Your detailed budget should reflect income and expenses (both spent and expected) for the entire project. It should be broken down by category and line item. If you need a template you can download one here, but you arenʻt required to use it if you have your own.

Note: Reasonable and necessary equipment/software purchases may be included as part of the proposal and budget; however, all intended equipment/software purchases must be delineated in the proposed budget and may not total more than $500 of PIC funds. In kind services and equipment are allowed in your budget. However, it should be capped to 15% of the total budget.

The relevancy of the budget to the scope and type of project proposed.

How likely the project will be completed on budget.

6. Detailed Project Timeline (up to two pages): upload one document containing the following as a .doc, .docx or .pdf file.

Explanation of the project's current status and a detailed timeline from beginning to completion. If you have previously applied to the Media Fund, please share how your project has progressed since the last time you applied.

Description of how any granted funds would be spent and how the amount requested would help you move forward with your project.

If your budget is larger than $50,000, please include an explanation of how you plan to raise the rest of the funding needed to complete your project - be specific.

How realistic and reasonable the project timeline is based on its current status.

The relevancy of the timeline to the type of project proposed

How likely the project will be completed within a year

If your budget is larger than $50,000, is there a clear and concrete near-term realistic plan to raise the funds needed?

7. Audience, Distribution, Promotion & Engagement Plan (up to two pages): upload one document containing the following as a .doc, .docx or .pdf file.

Audience (1-2 paragraphs): Describe the anticipated audience for your project, include any underserved audiences, and how your project will serve the needs of Pacific Islander communities. Also, describe how your project will appeal to a national and global audience. Explain how you plan to reach these audiences.

Promotion (1-2 paragraphs): Describe how you intend to build a following and audience and what your promotions plan is, include social media and traditional media, if applicable.

Engagement & Social Impact (1-2 paragraphs): if applicable, audience engagement is a strategy designed to activate audiences and constituencies toward specific goals. Not all films are suited for social engagement, but if yours is, what actions do you hope for viewers to take after seeing your film? Potential activities could include organizational partnerships, viewer or educational guides, social change campaigns, etc.

The potential for your project to appeal to a wide and diverse audience.

How clearly you identified target and Pacific Islander audiences and how well your project will serve the needs of these audiences.

The effectiveness of your distribution and promotional plan to reach your audiences.

The potential for the project to be a two-way conversation and the appropriateness of your project for public media.

8. Training Plan (up to one page): upload as a .doc, .docx or .pdf file.

Provide a detailed plan to provide specific training opportunities for emerging Pacific Islander filmmakers, talent and technical crew (e.g. Actors, Cinematographer, Editor, etc.). Be sure to include specifics on where and how you will recruit talent and what your access is to these communities

The effectiveness of your plan to provide Pacific Islanders with experience that will help build their careers.

How well your training plan demonstrates a familiarity with the Pacific Islander community.

The production team’s previous experience with mentoring or training others.

What to Expect

After you submit your application and materials, your project will be reviewed and evaluated by an Independent Review Panel (IRP). The IRP is made up of cultural advisors, executives in the public television system, and independent filmmakers. The entire process from application intake through evaluation typically takes between 8 to 10 weeks, after which PIC will notify you of your project's status.